US STATE POLICE. rise of HONOR GUARD units since 9/11

Hi Guys,
While delving into the current uniforms of the US STATE POLICE departments ,I came across an interesting phenomona, the rise in the number of 'HONOR GUARD' units with New style uniforms.

The majority of STATE POLICE departments seem to have changed over to the 'Campaign hat' or 'Smoky Bear' hat even if this is not within their department tradition. I have identified 4 common types and a few with slight variations on the theme, those left have remained loyal to their traditional routes. I have the details of all 49 departments , Hawaii still doesn't have an equivilent department.

With the rise in the number of ceremonies related to fallen Law Enforcement officers seems to have prompted these departments to create specific 'HONOR GUARD' units. The uniforms are in the main the Dress Uniform with some extras, belts to help carry flags and specialist shoulder patches, some have even adopted military rifles and have teams that can do rifle drill. I believe that there are also competitions during special 'Police Days' and 'Law Enforcement Weekends' where families are welcome to come along and see vehicles, watch displays and learn about police work.

I am starting with the uniform of the RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE which is unique and falls into the category of staying with their traditional look. Their uniform was based on that worn by the 'Royal Canadian Mounted Police' who helped train and set up the original organisation.
https://i.servimg.com/u/f88/13/98/25/75/ri_sta11.jpg
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As you can see there are many unique parts of this uniform and of special note is the jacket, which only has three brass buttons down the front, the one under the belt is black plastic as are those on the pocket flaps, and brass buttons on the epaulets. Although I have listed this as 2007 as the references sources were from this time ,I believe that nothing has changed and that it could easily be labelled 2009.

Comments and corrections welcomed.

Best Regards,
Les

Excellent job Les, AFAIK the only State Police/State Patrol/Highway Patrol force that does not wear the campaign hat or the stetson hat is the New Jersey State Police, New Mexico State Police, and the Michigan State Police. I think the Massachusetts State Police just recently switched over to the campaign hat but I am not 100% certain as it's been awhile since I have been to Massachusetts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/RISP_All_Uniforms.png
^ a picture showing the full range of the various different uniforms currently in use by the Rhode Island State Police.

Hi Chris,
Thanks, it's appreciated.

Yes ,I've been on the RISP website and the link you gave me, I have enough details to do all their uniforms but started with the dress one as this was the thread I wanted to go with.

I differentiate between the 'Campaign Hat' or 'Smoky Bear' hat as it is popularly known and the 'Stetson' or 'Sheriff hat' . The former has a montana peak and the latter a fore and aft dent. The STATE POLICE that don't wear a smoky are New Jersey, New York, Texas, Michigan, New Mexico and Maryland. Massachusetts changed over to a 'smoky' quite a few years ago for the dress uniform.

I'm surprised you missed out the New York State Police, don't you see these guys locally very often or have they changed to a 'smoky'. They are VERY traditional uniform wise so this would be a big surprise if they have.

As an ongoing project for myself ,I would like to document all the major uniform changes for each department from their first uniform to the current ones. I might need some help with this as finding photos of the early unifroms and colours isn't as easy as from the 50's and 60's onwards. I've found some great ones so far.

Best Regards,
Les

Yes, they wear the stetson hat as seen below. There are only about 100 troopers assigned to Long Island out of a force of about 5,000 so they are not exactly a common sight. As I outlined in a previous post, Long Island had it's own police force that patrolled the state parks and parkways under the control of the Long Island State Park Commission from the late 1940s until the 1980s when Robert Moses had his downfall and the LISPC was abolished.

http://www.talkingproud.us/ImagesLawEnforcement/NYSPShootings/NYSPMemorial.jpg
^ dress uniform

http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060909/060909_bucky_hmed4p.hmedium.jpg
^ long sleeved duty uniform (not sure of the exact terminology)

http://images.cnhi.zope.net/images_sizedimage_221230015/lg
^ short sleeved duty uniform

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Police#Rank_insignias
^ I am sure you have seen this already but here is the ranks and rank insignia.

There are 4 statewide law enforcement agencies in NY:

- State Police
- State Park Police
- State Environmental Conservation Police (game wardens/conservation officers)
- State University of New York Police (each of the 64 colleges/universities in the SUNY system has their own independent police department although they all have the same rank structure and uniforms)

SUNY Police and State Park Police wear basically the same uniform as the State Police but with minor changes such as a different shoulder patch or different chevron colors (the rank structure is also different). The State Environmental Conservation Police wear the same style uniform as the State Police but in dark green; as with the others the shoulder patch and ranks/rank insignia are different.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_State_Parkway_Police
http://www.portorangeimages.com/long%20island%20state%20parkway%20police%201.htm
^ information on the Long Island State Parkway Police which existed from 1946 until 1980.

Hi Chris,
Thanks for all the great links. I'll check them out, I already had some of the info but it's all good.

I like the photo of the guys in the long sleeve shirts with the prisoner,it really shows how colourful the purple ties and hat bands are on the drab uniform.

My main interest is in the State Police/highway Patrol at the moment, however may get interested in the other State organised departments at a later date.

Best Regards,
Les

Another fine piece of art work les, it seems that the world and his wife wants a different uniform.
I wonder what's next in line, everyone department wanting its own pipe band maybe and
all with a different tartan no doubt?
If nothing else it keeps you out of mischief trying to keep up with it!
Regards
WF

wfrad wrote:Another fine piece of art work les, it seems that the world and his wife wants a different uniform.
I wonder what's next in line, everyone department wanting its own pipe band maybe and
all with a different tartan no doubt?
If nothing else it keeps you out of mischief trying to keep up with it!
Regards
WF

Many US law enforcement agencies and fire/rescue departments do have their own pipe band each with their own tartan style.

We have way to many police forces and even more fire departments here in the US. Here on Long Island virtually every census designated community has it's own fire department, in most communities the ambulances are part of the fire department but in some cases are a totally seperate organization. At last count we had 179 fire departments and about 30 or so ambulance companies - most are staffed mainly by volunteers although every department does have some paid staff.

Hi WF,
You are not far off the mark, there was a program on recently about Tartans and Scotland, it came across clearly that the institute here that registers official tartans has had there work cut out keeping up with all the requests from around the world to get a new tartan put onto the register.

Apparently over half of the States in the U.S. have their own tartan which really means that the State Police could use them if they wanted to create pipe bands. A company in South Carolina has registered a Law Enforcement Tartan which can be officially used by any police department ,plus one for use by any Fire Department.

Just found a photo of the NEW 'HONOR GUARD' of the US Border Patrol and guess what, yep!!! they have a kilted piper as part of the unit. It's started already!

Best Regards,
Les

Hi Les,
I knew that most of the major departments had their own pipes and yes kilts.
I agree with you that it’s all getting a little out of hand regarding the tartans, there soon will be, if not already, more tartans in American law enforcement than in Ireland and Scotland put together.
Should have had a government or police tartan that would have put an end to it, god only knows what some of the colour combinations will be in the attempt to be original, pink crossed with cold glitter with broad lime green vertical bar!
Sorry but I think you get my drift.
Regards
Wilf

Wilf,
The Law Enforcement tartan created by the company in South Carolina is pretty good, being basically Blue with Black, silver and gold stripes.
Described as Police Blue, with silver and Gold representing the colours of the badges used and black representing those fallen in the line of duty. Additionally they say that where the silver, gold and black lines cross it gives the impression of a mourning bar, which is widely used in the USA as a piece of Black elasticated material put over the face of the badge as a mark of repect to a fallen collegue.
Can't find the link to the website at the moment to post here but when I do ,I'll post it.

I think Police Pipe bands would be another thread and I'm sure that Sean knows a lot more about these than I do, hasn't he done a CD for these?

Regards,
Les

The new kilt seems to be very appropriate, unlike some of the other items forces have dreamed up lately.
I don’t know it Sean has made a CD about police kilts.
I have problems with the British and Commonwealth kilts so trying to follow police kilts also would really over heat the single grey cell.
It has to be a labour of love, even thinking about attempting something of that magnitude has me reaching for the whisky!!
I wish you the best of luck.
Regards
wilf

Wilf,
No need for kuck , I'm not interested in Police kilts either I was only responding to your post. I think Sean is the man for the job. I get confused with the Military kilts for the local guys, so I'm not going to be that brilliant at identifying anything so complicated as US State ones or Police deprtment ones.

I'll stick to my original research of the uniforms of the US State Police/Highway Patrol ,which I started this thread with, it's enough to keep me going for a few months.

Enjoy your whiskey though, wouldn't begrudge any one time to relax.

Regards,
Les

Hi les,
Thanks for the reply,
I know what you mean, I afraid I haven't the eye for colour detail when looking at the kilts.
Leave it to those who have a passion, or talent for it.
Regards
Wilf

Some more US state police/highway patrol uniforms, I tried to focus on dress uniforms but for the sake of interest I have included some pictures of the normal duty uniform and when applicable the various uniforms for specialized details and assignments:

http://people.zeelandnet.nl/tberry/uniforms/njsp.jpg
http://officer.com/article/photos/1170426242835_gangsmain.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/271087579_0f6b5ae54c.jpg
New Jersey State Police

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/images/5troopers.jpg
http://vahighered.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/img_17613.jpg
http://www.dnronline.com/photos/w071608TrooperPineMR_7148.jpg
Virginia State Police

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/PhotoGallery/images2007/PG021207.jpg
http://www.funnycopblog.com/images/FHP%20Poster.jpg
Florida Highway Patrol

http://images.musclemustangfastfords.com/events/mmfp_0612_17z+fun_ford_weekend+ohio_state_patrol.jpg
http://www.tbirecovery.org/ashblog/uploaded_images/TrooperCinEnq1-775720.jpg
http://davidgmiller.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5f6d53ef01156f182328970c-pi
http://www.aamva.org/NR/rdonlyres/181AD972-FC16-4E26-9E1A-9FE595209ECD/0/Holcomb.jpg
Ohio State Highway Patrol

http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2005/sept2005/sept05leb_img_8.jpg
http://www.newsline.umd.edu/photos/statepolicewaiting011707bphotogallery.jpg
http://www.vspa.org/itmimg/Marylland%20shooting.jpg
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/janfeb99/images/police.jpg
Maryland State Police

http://www.cspaaa.com/images/customer-images//Trooper%20Paul%20D%20Canniff%20and%20TFC%20Orlando%20C%20Mo.jpg
http://www.housegop.ct.gov/images/gallery2005/sawyerp/SawyerLT.jpg
http://www.ct.gov/dps/lib/dps/public_information_files/images/csp_honor_guard.jpg
http://www.nlpoa.org/Connec14.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/264006725_e913a3e7f4.jpg
Connecticut State Police

Just a sample ...

Hi Chris,
WOW!!! Thanks for all the photo links. You have been busy. I really apprecaite all your efforts and think that between us we can complete this project of documenting the Dress uniform of all 49 States.

I am working on the first batch of illustrations which I plan on doing in a more schematic style to show the differences more easily. Should have the first lot finished by the weekend.

All the State Police/Highway Patrol uniforms interest me, I just started the thread with the Dress/Honor Guard uniform as this is where I noticed the most recent change. However there is another trend ,which may become another thread ,I have noticed which is the use of motorcycles again, most SP/HP departments started on motorcycles but fairly rapidly most of them went to cars, now , presmably with the economic conditions I see that most of them are now using two wheels again, even those departments that previously hadn't. This is good from our point of view of course ,means more uniforms to document. Looks like I will be at this as project for a few years to come!

If you have anymore of these links/photos I'm interested and especially if you can find good clear photos of the following states dress uniform, as I'm not having much luck, ARIZONA, NEVADA, COLORADO, NORTH DAKOTA and LOUISIANA. The photos I have found are quite small or can not be enlarged enough to get all the detail, although with my file info I can do the uniform.

Best Regards,
Les

Les, you are correct about the motorcycles; at one point virtually every cop in the US rode a motorcycle but then due to safety issues they were phased out. They are still pretty rare in my area, the only time I ever see them used is for parades, VIP escorts, etc.

http://www.veteranbrotherhood.org/RFTW2003/img10.jpg
http://www.dot.state.co.us/conezone/images/CSP.jpg
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2009/0227/20090227__CSPWolfinbarger~p1.jpg
Colorado State Patrol

http://www.gotspeedingticket.com/images/practice_02.jpg
http://media.lvrj.com/images/2625876.jpg
http://media.lvrj.com/images/2514197.jpg
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Apr-22-Thu-2004/photos/patrol.jpg
Nevada Highway Patrol

http://mstroopers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mississippi-highway-patrol-honor-guard-class-b-and-class-a-uniformsweb.jpg
http://www.policemotorunits.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/webassets/DSCF0184.jpg
Mississippi Highway Patrol

http://positiveleo.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/washingtonstatepatroluniform.jpg
http://pugetsoundblogs.com/kitsap-crime/files/2009/05/outdoorgroup_edit2.jpg
http://i.usatoday.net/news/_photos/2007/10/24/troopers-topper.jpg
http://media.komonews.com/images/090512_WSP_uniforms.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1101/852157393_2f968ddf90.jpg?v=0
Washington State Patrol

http://pages.minot.k12.nd.us/votech/File/resources/careerfair2008/highwaypatrol.jpg
http://www.nd.gov/ndhp/graphics/col.jpg
http://www.ndsc.org/SiteImages/A6aliveat25.jpg
North Dakota Highway Patrol

http://www.statetroopers.org/PFStories/images2009/PFS050809f.jpg
http://www.statetroopers.org/PFStories/images2008/PFS050908.jpg
http://www.statetroopers.org/PFStories/images2009/PFS080709.jpg
http://www.thelafourchegazette.com/files/Trooper.jpg
http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/liv+dwi+risk+1+41708.jpg
Louisiana State Police

Some very nice photo's Chris,
A few of them don't seem to have changed much from the 30's and 40's,
I have only seen old B/W films so I wouldn't really know.
Thanks

WF

wfrad wrote:Some very nice photo's Chris,
A few of them don't seem to have changed much from the 30's and 40's,
I have only seen old B/W films so I wouldn't really know.
Thanks

WF

Correct, the New Mexico State Police wears basically the same uniform they wore when the department was created in 1933, except for the obvious additions of modern equipment (radio, ASP baton, semi-auto pistol, etc). US state police forces are generally very traditional when it comes to uniforms.

Chris,
This is another great batch of photos, I think you have more than a passing interest in Law Enforcement uniforms. It must have taken you some time to find these links. I appreciate your efforts, Thanks.

That Mississippi Highway Patrol Motor officer photo is incredible for detail.

I'm pleased also that you managed to get a good clear photo of the Louisiana State Police uniform, it's different from the one I had seen , so I can do an update now.

On the motorcycle front, you might be right about mainly used for parades, most of the photos I've found are from Parades and from competitions, but since most folks bring cameras to these kind of events it's not surprising. I have also noticed an odd feature on some of these motor officers, that is their helmet colours, who ever is designing this aspect of the uniform seems have no concept of matching them up to the rest of the uniform or keeping the historical colours.

Looking forward to anymore batches of photos you have found , they are all great and will help with doing more detailed illustrations than I had originally planned.

Best Regards,
Les

Hi Chris,
Just discovered this but perhaps you knew this already, that since 2002 during 'Police Week' in Washington DC there has been a 'Honor Guard' competition.
Aparently covering three aspecs of the duty of the 'Honor Guard', including Flag presentations and marching, the competition is pretty stiff and they have USMC Drill Instructors inspecting every part of the uniform and giving them marks for how shiny the leather and brass are. This year it seems to be down to 12 departments in the finals, haven't found out how many started. The current holder of the 'Best Honor Guard' are the 'US Capitol Police'.
Also there is a similar competition for Motor Officers ,that takes place on the same week, which is based on handling of the motorcycle through various obstacles.

Best Regards,
Les

Hi guys,
Looks like this is an ongoing story, just got this info from the Florida Highway Patrol website, they are so new they haven't got their uniforms yet!

FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL HONOR GUARD
The Florida Highway Patrol recently unveiled its new statewide Honor Guard, which consists of thirty-seven members. The Honor Guard is divided into three regions - North, Central, and South. Members were recommended by their chain of command and selected by the Colonel of the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Honor Guard Commander is Lieutenant Jose “Joe” L. Lopez
The first Honor Guard training camp was kicked-off on August, 20, 2009, at the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy. The training consisted of ceremonial drills that included facing movements, Manual of Arms for the rifle team, Presentation of Colors, flag folding, funeral and memorial service protocols, and plenty of marching drills and maneuvers.
During the course of their training, each member received their Honor Guard equipment. However, they are anxiously awaiting their newly authorized dress jacket, which were purchased for the Florida Highway Patrol Honor Guard by the FHP Advisory Council.
The Honor Guard mission is to:
Coordinate and attend funeral ceremonial duties for in state and out of state officers killed in the line of duty
Coordinate and attend local and national memorial services for law enforcement officers
Act as a clearinghouse for the Department and Division regarding ceremonial protocol matters
Perform other functions as deemed appropriate by the Colonel
To represent the Florida Highway Patrol with a well trained ceremonial unit to render honor, respect, preserve traditions, promote esprit-de-corps and instill pride
The Honor Guard will represent the men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol through their unbridle dedication and commitment to duty and honor
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The Black T-Shirts are just for training in , the uniforms will be the Duty uniform with the addition of the NEW Dress jacket and presumably a tie.

Best Regards,
Les

Cant wait to see the dress uniform. Ive noticed that some southern states dont have dress uniforms and simply clip on a tie to the long sleeve version of the duty uniform if needed.

You're right, many of the southern states don't seem to have 'proper' dress uniforms, is it that hot in the south that jackets aren't needed?

Now that I am getting more organised with my files with regards to the various photos I have found around the internet, I have noticed that many departments used to have an historical design of jacket but seem to have abandoned them in favour of just the tie and possibly an agguilette. I have the uniform regulations of a few years ago for the 'New Mexico State Police' and they clearly had a Dress jacket of the same design as 'New York State Police' but in reverse colours, but now every photo I have seen has them in the Shirt, bowtie and sam browne with cross strap. Don't get me wrong it is a very smart uniform but what do they do if they are out of state and it's a bit cooler?

Best Regards,
Les

Personnel from US police forces normally don't serve outside their jurisdiction and the immediate area. In regards to the weather, the South is usually pretty dang hot and humid especially in Florida. Some states do widely vary, for example in California one can be sitting on the beach in Los Angeles and then drive a few hours and be in Alpine like terrain in the northwestern part of the state complete with snowfall and ski resorts in the winter.

Hi Chris,
Looks like this is another new concept for the 'State Police /Highway Patrol' departments 'Honor Guard' units. These units definately go outside their State to attend 'Fallen Officer Memorials and Funerals' and of course the 'National Police Week' in Washington D.C.

Wether this is a voluntary duty or a part of their job as the 'Honor Guard', I'm not sure, although they do appear to wear their firearms even when out of State. I have just found photos of the Funeral of a Vermont State trooper and taking part ,I can identify, contingents from the following State Police departments;
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania plus a group of RCMP and a few US Border Patrol offciers. In the background it looks as if there are marked patrol units from at least the adjoining States.

I totally undertsand what you say about the weather conditions, but surely the State Police guys from the South ,must have some kind of jacket even for patrol work ? I know that in the desert it gets pretty cold at night, that's why New Mexico and Texas get issued 'down' filled padded jackets.

Well clearly more research has to be done.

Best Regards,
Les